BASES FOR GENETIC-IMPROVEMENT OF GRAIN LEGUMES

This review focuses an selection criteria and breeding methods used wi th grain legumes. The production of these crops has remained stagnant over time and research strategies which lead to the development of imp roved cultivars is urgently needed. The variables to be considered in the choice of breeding methods have been considered and selection targ ets pointed out. These include the improvement of plant architecture, nitrogen fixation (selection of plant host, inoculant strains and rhiz obia by cultivar interaction), seed yield (quantitative, qualitative a nd stability) and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress. The merit o f different selection methods in meeting these selection targets is di scussed and their practical application is elucidated. Finally, recurr ent selection and index of selection methods are considered for increa sing genetic recombination and how biotechnology can offer tools to he lp in the improvement of important traits of grain legumes. (C) 1997 E lsevier Science B.V.